Study, 1999
Does an immune molecule called IL-8 change in the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle?
Yes. IL-8 increases significantly near the end of the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy, drops in the middle of the cycle, and increases again within 48 hours after progesterone is withdrawn.
What they did
Researchers examined tissue samples from the uterine lining taken at different points in the menstrual cycle and from early pregnancy. They used a technique called in situ hybridization to measure IL-8 messenger RNA, which is how cells produce the IL-8 protein.
What they found
IL-8 messenger RNA was concentrated near blood vessels in the late phase of the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy tissue. It was minimal in the middle of the cycle. When researchers gave progesterone for 4 days starting 8 days after the LH surge (to mimic the end of the cycle), IL-8 messenger RNA increased significantly 48 hours after the progesterone was stopped.
What it means for you
This shows that IL-8, an immune molecule in the uterine lining, changes with the menstrual cycle and is controlled by progesterone. This is basic research looking at how cells work at the molecular level. It explains a cellular mechanism but does not show whether these changes affect PMS or other symptoms. The study examined tissue samples rather than measuring symptoms in living women.
4 days
Duration of progesterone given
8 days
Time after LH surge when progesterone started
48 hours
Time after progesterone stopped when IL-8 increased
About the study
- Original title
- Perivascular interleukin-8 messenger ribonucleic acid expression in human endometrium varies across the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy decidua
- Authors
- Milne SA, Critchley HO, Drudy TA et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
- Year
- 1999
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- Progesterone administration for 4 days to simulate the end of the luteal phase
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1210/jcem.84.7.5833